First of its kind Starbucks to open in LeBron James' House Three Thirty

LeBron James and Starbucks are partnering to open a first of its kind store in Akron.

The Starbucks Community Store will open on March 30 inside of House Three Thirty − a nod to the 330 area code. It will be Akron's first community Starbucks.

It will also be part of the grand opening on 330 Day of the revamped space that was once home to the Tangier entertainment complex on West Market Street.

The LeBron James Family Foundation has partnered with a number of other corporations including Old El Paso, Chase Bank and Smuckers to create a destination for its I Promise families and the public to dine, shop and attend community events.

House Three Thirty:LeBron James' House Three Thirty in Akron taking shape thanks to mDesign

The various business ventures including the Starbucks will be staffed by I Promise students and their families who will be learning valuable job skills along with earning a paycheck.

Starbucks is sharing a portion of the proceeds from the store with the foundation as it works to keep Akron kids in the classroom on the path to a high school diploma and a college degree or career path.

“The vision for House Three Thirty is to serve our families’ need for more work experience and hands-on job training. That extends to every single facet of the expansive space, including this one-of-a-kind Starbucks location,” said Michele Campbell, foundation executive director, in a statement. “We’re so thankful to Starbucks for trusting us to help rewrite the handbook on what job training looks like and how we can employ people for their futures. What you can expect from this location is caring and prepared team members, “be best” service, a warm and welcoming environment, and a community model that we believe can change the world.”

Since House Three Thirty is within walking distance of the I Promise School, Campbell said, it should help to remove transportation barriers for the teen students seeking to work at a part-time job after school.

“This Starbucks represents another pathway for our students still working to obtain their high school GEDs," she said. "For our parents looking for a better paying job and more meaningful employment. For our friends of the family exploring a new industry for the first time. And while they’re pursuing their own passions, they’re fueling it in others with their service. This can touch so many lives.”

D'Onjai White, Starbucks assistant store manager and House Three Thirty team member, will be among the workers ready to greet customers at the store that will offer inside and patio seating.

“The opportunity to learn, work and serve my community in this incredible way is life-changing for me and everyone who works at House Three Thirty,” White said. “We’re looking forward to providing a whole new 'We Are Family' kind of service you can only get here, because this opportunity means the world to us.”

The transformed 60,000-square-foot former Tangier will include the J.M. Smucker HomeTown Hall that will provide a large event and gathering space, the eatery Taco Shop by Old El Paso, a sweets shop that will feature  Mitchell's Ice Cream, a Chase-bank sponsored financial literacy space, private club The Den by Lobos 1707 and even a LeBron James Museum to celebrate his rise from "Just a Kid from Akron" to an NBA star.

A LeBron-themed sports bar is expected to open in 2024.

Craig Webb can be reached at cwebb@thebeaconjournal.com.

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This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: First of its kind Starbucks to open in LeBron James House Three Thirty